David Beckham’s future as England captain is assured after the Football Association (FA) made it clear there would be no action taken against him over his admission that he had deliberately fouled an opponent to get a convenient yellow card.
Despite widespread and severe criticism of Beckham’s conduct, notably from Fifa President Sepp Blatter, the the FA said it regarded an apology issued by the Real Madrid midfielder as sufficient to draw a line under the issue.
That stance was backed by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after his side’s 1-0 win over Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
”That’s finished it here for ever,” Eriksson said, adding that he had never doubted that Beckham would continue as England captain, despite the furore over his actions.
Beckham was suspended for Wednesday night’s game as a result of the yellow card he received in Saturday’s win over Wales.
He subsequently admitted he had deliberately fouled Ben Thatcher to get that yellow card because he knew that, minutes earlier, he had broken a rib and would be unable to travel to Azerbaijan anyway.
Eriksson, who had made it clear he believed Beckham’s only mistake was to have been frank about his conduct, said he had never doubted that Beckham should carry on as captain.
”No way — I never doubted that,” he said.
By serving the suspension, Beckham has his slate wiped clean for the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign rather than having to play later matches knowing he was just one booking away from a ban.
FA chairperson Geoff Thompson had earlier given Beckham a clear vote of confidence.
”The captain has possibly made an error of judgement but he has apologised for it,” Thompson said.
”Of course I think it’s a good thing that he’s given that apology.”
Blatter said he was dismayed by Beckham’s conduct. ”Where are we going when football’s ambassadors do not show fair play?” the Fifa supremo said.
”David Beckham is a role model for young children, an ambassador of football and an ambassador of fair play. I will speak with the leadership of the FA and I will ask them to investigate and give us a report.
”All players should show fair play and should not make sure they are booked, then publicly say, ‘I did it deliberately.’
”This is the captain of the English team and he should have acted in a better way, especially because all the attention is focused on him.”
Beckham’s apology contained a veiled references to revelations in a Sunday tabloid about his personal life. There has been speculation that he had incurred the booking knowing a story alleging marital infidelity was going to appear and that he wanted to miss the trip to Azerbaijan because of the potential repercussions for his relationship with his wife, Victoria.
”I was asked a question and made a frank and honest admission to counter the negative speculation,” Beckham said in a statement.
”I now know that was wrong and apologise to the FA, the England coach, my team-mates and all England fans.
”I have also apologised personally to my manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
”I know that as captain you are in a privileged position and must always abide by Fifa’s code of fair play, something which I have always done throughout my career.”
Norwegian referee Terje Hauge, who was in charge of England’s match, said he was surprised Beckham had deliberately fouled Thatcher in order to be suspended from Wednesday’s qualifier in Azerbaijan.
”It is not correct to do that. He is the captain of the England team and he is a star. Many young players look up to him. It’s not good for him to think and act like that,” Hauge said.
”It surprises me if he has said that. In the match I didn’t think he did that. I thought it was a reaction in the game.” – Sapa-AFP